Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says one-lap pace will be vital for teams across this month’s pair of Formula 1 races in Spain and Monaco, due to the difficulty in making overtaking manoeuvres as the respective events.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and the Circuit de Monaco have typically provided drivers with few opportunities in which to pass – placing a greater emphasis on grid position than at some other events.
Mercedes has taken only one pole position from four this season, courtesy of Lewis Hamilton in Australia, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel having wrapped up a hat-trick last time out in Azerbaijan.
“After an exciting start to 2018 we're now heading into the European season with races like Spain and Monaco that present very different challenges than some of the previous tracks,” said Wolff.
“Overtaking is difficult in Barcelona and even more so in Monte Carlo, making track position key for a good race result.
“So every team will work hard to get every last bit of performance out of the car in qualifying.
“The European season is also the time when teams start introducing bigger upgrades to their cars. It's the first step of the development race that looks like it could run to the very end of the season.
“It will be interesting to see how much performance the teams can find with their upgrades and what impact those upgrades will have on the team ranking – both at the front and in the midfield.”
Mercedes heads into the Spanish Grand Prix having ended its six-race win drought but trails Ferrari by four points in the Constructors’ Championship.
“Barcelona holds mixed memories for us – a double DNF in 2016, but also a dramatic win for Lewis last year after passing Vettel on track for the lead,” Wolff commented.
“We're hoping that this year's Spanish Grand Prix will be a good race for us, but we know that it will be tough.
“The first four races indicate very strongly that we will see the three-way battle continue and – if anything – intensify.”
